Epilepsy Foundation hails extended release form of Depakote

WASHINGTON,D.C., Dec. 23, 2002 -- Representatives of the Epilepsy
Foundation said that the FDA's approval of Abbott Laboratories'
Depakote ER (divalproex sodium extended release) for the treatment
of epilepsy is excellent news for people with seizures. Epilepsy
affects 2.3 million Americans, the majority of whom must take
medication daily to help control their seizures.

Depakote ER tablets have been approved for sole and adjunctive
therapy of complex partial seizures and simple and complex absence
seizures in adults with epilepsy. Depakote ER is a new once daily
formulation of Depakote tablets, which have been a leading
medication for the treatment of epilepsy since their approval in
1983.

"Since many people with epilepsy rely on daily medication for
seizure control, a convenient and easy to remember medicine regimen
is vitally important," said Patricia Osborne Shafer, R.N., M.N.,
chair of the Foundation's professional advisory board.

"Many of the existing medications need to be taken two to four
times a day, and this multiple daily dosing is very difficult. This
new formulation, however, offers people the option of taking their
medicine only once a day. This will make taking medications a lot
easier and likely improve seizure control and quality of life for
many people with seizures. The Epilepsy Foundation welcomes this
new treatment option," she said.

Seizures are produced by brief disturbances of electrical
activity in the brain. Partial seizures happen when the disturbance
is focused within a limited region of the brain. Absence seizures
are a type of generalized seizures, with electrical activity
involving both sides of the brain.

Partial seizures affect between 50 and 70 percent of people with
epilepsy and are especially common in adults. Both types of
seizures are commonly treated with Depakote.

Recent studies indicate that 40 to 50 percent of people with
epilepsy are still having seizures or report bothersome side
effects. Others may have seizures that respond easily to treatment,
but still require lifelong medication use.

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